Attorney General Ken Paxton has obtained a temporary restraining order against Malcolm Tanner, effectively halting a controversial political maneuver that sought to influence Loving County, Texas, by luring newcomers with the offer of "free" homes. As reported by the Texas Attorney General's office, Paxton described Tanner's initiative as an "illegal and deceptive political sham" that must end immediately.
"Malcolm Tanner is a two-bit charlatan attempting to defraud people out of their money with false promises of free homes, and unlawful government payouts. Texas is for Texans, not out-of-state grifters trying to steal political power from the people who live here," Paxton said, as his office took swift action against Tanner's claims of offering housing in exchange for voter loyalty. The Texas Attorney General's office stance reflects a strict adherence to state laws governing electoral conduct, and property rights, while highlighting concerns over Tanner's promises despite lacking basic utilities or improvements on his Loving County land.
Tanner, hailing from Crawfordsville, Indiana, has used social media to broadcast his scheme. In a series of videos, he explains his plan to overtake the local government by providing free housing to those willing to support his chosen candidates. However, according to Paxton's allegations, Tanner's land offers no real homes but instead has seen families, which include women and children, forced to live in RVs or other temporary shelters without adequate sewage disposal, compromising sanitary conditions and potentially violating county ordinances, as reported by the Texas Attorney General's office.
Upon investigation, Texas Attorney General's office launched a lawsuit resulting in the TRO to impede Tanner's operations in Loving County. As the details from the Office of the Attorney General reveal, Paxton acted with urgency, "to protect the integrity of our elections and the welfare of our citizens by aggressively pursuing those who try to subvert our laws." This move underscores the state's commitment to safeguard its communities from what they see as nefarious, and potentially illegal strategies that threaten to disrupt local governance and exploit vulnerable individuals.
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